"Performing a dual-task, such as talking or texting with a cell phone while walking, may interfere with working memory and result in walking errors," wrote the study's authors in their abstract.

Since declaring their intentions through brochures back in March, Fort Lee police have been on the lookout for distracted walkers. Last month alone, they handed out 117 $85 jaywalking citations.

Though a number of townsfolk have grumbled about the crackdown, police said they'd like to put an end to unnecessary traffic accidents. This year, twenty borough residents have been hit by cars, three of whom were killed as a result.

The new bylaw follows previous crackdowns on cell phone use and texting while driving.

Distracted walkers don't cause as many calamities, so it will be interesting to see whether this bylaw eventually makes it up to Canada.

But as anyone who's ever been stuck behind a texter that slows down to a pedestrian crawl already knows, it can't hurt to encourage these busy folks to step off to the side and finish their highly important business in one place.